Percy Sutton Harlem 5K Run - Run

Started in the first corral, which was thrilling and made for a quick start out of the gate. I was really focused on getting my PR, but specifically wanted to nail a sub-7 min/mile average on a distance over 1 mile, something I've been unable to do in the past. I'd bargained with myself that if I was doing 7:08 or something ridiculously slow at each mile marker, I could give up, because I wouldn't be able to chase that time down again to sub-7. But every mile I glanced down at my watch, people must have thought I had Tourette's or something, because I would curse under my breath when I saw that I was still JUUUUUST under 7 min/miles and had to keep going at that pace (or faster).

"Chase the pain" was my mantra and that is what I did. The speed bumps along the residential part of the course actually hurt because I'd have to alter my gait slightly to get over them.

I tried to latch onto people in front of me, but they were either going too slow or too fast to stick with for longer than a couple seconds (I found that surprising, considering how big the race was -- really, NOBODY was running my pace??). So I ended up really running this one on my own.

The downhill somewhere in mile 2 felt amazing. Instead of allowing myself to recover, I pushed going down hill, which probably gave me a couple extra seconds.

Turned the corner onto the last quarter mile, which is all basically flat, but FELT uphill after the downhill I'd just done. Tried to latch onto a super tall guy in front of me who looked like he was floating through the final sprint. Passed mile 3, praying my watch would say something-under-21-minutes (it did) and then gunned it to the finish, knowing I'd done it!

Nothing. This was an excellent race and result and I think the warm up was the best thing I've ever done.

Walked over to baggage claim, saw this older gentleman who was in my corral (I guess I was in his corral, really) standing next to where my bag was. He had looked super fast at the start -- sort of had this tall and lean look to him. I was chasing after him but couldn't keep up at the end. Which I told him. He said, "No kidding? Did you have a good race?"
Me: Yes! I PR'd! Fastest 5k!
Him: That's great. What was your time?
Me: 21:17. What was yours?
Him: I didn't have a watch on, so I have no idea, but I guess somewhere around that time, too, if I was right in front of you! What's your name?
Me: Mirjam.
Him: Bill Perkins. Nice to meet you, congratulations on your race.

He gave me a hug and we parted ways.

Bill Perkins. New York State Senator Bill Perkins. Kinda cool. Looked up his time later -- 21:09. He was literally seconds in front of me. (Oh, and he's 65 years old and placed first in his age group).

:)


A good PR 5k course, mean little hill at the start, but it's over almost (almost) before you feel it. Good local race run in conjunction with Harlem Week, so lots of good energy and events surrounding this race.